Bothersome days for McCain

McCain has been getting endorsements. And he has also been getting UN-endorsements.

Limbaugh, Coulter, and Glenn Beck...sure. Who cares...except Republoicans who look to the likes of them for marching orders...

But also...

Dr. James Dobson has declared he won't vote for McCain.

As Republican friends in-the-know often remind me, Dobson is THE religious right leader - not "a" leader, THE leader.

As voters in 24 states head to the polls today to choose a presidential nominee, Dr. James Dobson released a statement to The Laura Ingraham Show today. He stated his personal opinions of this critical election:

"I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem-cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language.

"I am convinced Sen. McCain is not a conservative, and in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are. He has sounded at times more like a member of the other party. McCain actually considered leaving the GOP caucus in 2001, and approached John Kerry about being Kerry's running mate in 2004. McCain also said publicly that Hillary Clinton would make a good president. Given these and many other concerns, a spoonful of sugar does NOT make the medicine go down. I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience.

"But what a sad and melancholy decision this is for me and many other conservatives. Should Sen. McCain capture the nomination as many assume, I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime. I certainly can't vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life. These decisions are my personal views and do not represent the organization with which I am affiliated. They do reflect my deeply held convictions about the institution of the family, about moral and spiritual beliefs, and about the welfare of our country."

Around noon today, Dr. Dobson talked to national talk-show host Dennis Prager. He made it clear he was not endorsing anyone.

"Dr. Dobson's statement speaks for itself," said Gary Schneeberger, vice president of media relations for Focus on the Family Action. "He made it as a private citizen, and it reflects his personal opinion of Sen. McCain's candidacy and record. People can read into it what they like; all I see is his own personal 'straight talk' regarding why he can't vote for one candidate."

But maybe Jesus will call and tell him to vote...wouldn't be the biggest piece of BS he has ever served.


And also the Veeps daughter, Liz Cheney, declared his nomination would be a "sad day" for the Republican party.


In the different wings of the party their are people that truly hate him.

Will McCain replace this support?

Crooks and Liars:

The hardcore, right wing base of the Republican party, including one of its most prominent spokespersons, has been going berserk over the notion that Senator John McCain might become the GOP candidate for president. They’ve gone above and beyond trying to paint him as a liberal, which elicits laughter from actual liberals — but apparently, it’s catching on with some teevee bobbleheads.

This morning on The Chris Matthews Show, the panel discussed John McCain and how many Democrats and Independents would vote for him in the general election. Matthews puts up poll numbers showing McCain taking as many as 41% of Independent voters and 16% of Democrats. The same poll also shows him beating Hillary Clinton and losing to Barack Obama, both by slim margins and 7 out of 12 CMS contributors think McCain could hold those numbers all the way through the general election.

I was surprised, Joe Kline actually brings the most reality to this segment, reminding the panel that there are only a handful of Independents who think we should be in Iraq for 100 years and that if McCain thinks he can live off the narrow tactical successes of the surge (U.S. deaths in Iraq climbed in January) in Iraq and avoid talking about the economy throughout the entire campaign, he’s in for trouble.

Democrats are consistently topping Republicans in both fundraising and voter turn out, so I find it hard to believe that the race would be anywhere this close. Having said that, it’s a long way to November and anything can happen. We’ve learned not to place too much emphasis on polling data, so here’s my question to C&L readers — is this another case of our media trying to create a horse race where none exists, or does McCain, a war mongering, anti-choice, pandering, flip flopping Republican who has capitulated on torture, immigration and President Bush’s tax cuts REALLY have a good shot at beating either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton in November?